4 Surprising Times to Express Gratitude
You’ll never be great and ungrateful at the same time. Gratefulness sees advantage where ungratefulness sees obstacle.
Unexpressed gratitude is ungratefulness.
4 surprising times to express gratitude
#1. When tempted to complain express gratitude.
A closed mind rages against an unalterable past. Find a way to express gratitude in every situation. You can’t be thankful for tragedy. You can be thankful for helpful people.
Honor painful circumstances by learning from them. Feeling like others need to learn but you don’t produces ungratefulness.
External adversity forms internal character.
#2. When tempted to quit express gratitude.
Grumbling comes before quitting. Gratitude is energy to keep going.
Problems add value to your leadership. Challenges make contribution relevant.
#3. When tempted to feel sorry for yourself express gratitude.
Ungratefulness finds reasons to moan when others have it easier than you. Kill envy with gratefulness.
Say, “Good for you,” when others shine. You’re smaller than the person you tear down.
#4. When tempted to feel resentment express gratitude.
Bitterness poisons attitudes and contaminates relationships.
Grateful leaders build safe environments. Ungrateful leaders build self-protective teams.
Express gratitude to:
- Confirm others matter.
- Release from past failure.
- Strengthen connection.
- Fortify energy.
Expressing gratitude shifts your thinking from burden to opportunity.
The greatest power of gratitude is it changes you.
Thieves of Thankfulness – Why Cynics Struggle with Gratitude
How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain
so needed to read this today- thank you!
Thank you, Sue. Here’s to beginning again with fresh vitality.
Funny you should mention this. So for months now I’ve been silently hoping my walk-behind lawnmower of 20+ years would die so I could buy a new, fancier one. Last week, the fuel line developed a leak. I went to the small engine repair guy. He said, “Oh yeah, I bet I’ve got the same mower. Man, those things are great… they run forever! If you bought a new one nowadays you’d be lucky if it lasted 5 years.” Funny how something we find ‘worthless’ suddenly looks so different in when valued by another!
Grateful for your daily posts that helps my learning.Thank you Dan.
I appreciate your succinct posts. I’ve been a fan for several years! I am grateful for your wisdom and encouragement.
“You’ll never be great and ungrateful at the same time” makes great wallpaper for my computer screen. Thanks for the message today!
I experienced a situation last night that left me feeling a bit sorry for myself, (it was a hurtful remark from my father-in-law). While having a my own personal pity party, I asked myself ‘why does what he said bother me so much’? The answer helped me move beyond his ‘mere words’ and allowed me to turn to the understanding of my reaction in a loving manor. Sticks and Stones… I am grateful for the helpful friend that let me vent. Your post reminds me to be grateful for my own Father – who is always there for me, unconditionally. I am grateful for you, too, Dan.
As part of my weekly To-Do list, there is always a couple of lines: Who to celebrate and Who gets thanks… it really is a great way to reflect on weekly happenings and end the week.